Schweizer SGS-233A N17870

Summary

On 21 May 1993 at about 20:37 local time, a Schweizer SGS-233A registered N17870, operated by Triple Cities Soaring Society, was involved in an accident near Johnson City, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 May 1993 at 20:37

Classification

Accident

Location

Johnson City, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Binghamton Regional (BGM)

Coordinates

42.1105, -75.9605

Aircraft

Schweizer SGS-233A

Registration

N17870

Category

Glider

Operator

Triple Cities Soaring Society

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Endicott → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO93LA095

2 people had minor injuries.

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE FLIGHT CREW. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE DOWNDRAFT ON FINAL APPROACH, THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS (CLIFF & OBSTRUCTIONS) NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY, AND THE LACK OF RELATIVE EXPERIENCE FOR EACH OF THE PILOTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE 2 PLACE GLIDER WAS TOWED ON A FLIGHT FROM ENDICOTT TO BINGHAMTON, NY. A PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING THE GLIDER AND AN INSTRUCTOR WAS ALONG AS AN INTENDED PASSENGER ON THIS FLIGHT. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE DESTINATION, THE GLIDER WAS RELEASED FROM BEING TOWED AND WAS MANEUVERED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 34. THE APPROACH TO RUNWAY 34 WAS OVER RISING TERRAIN WITH A CLIFF SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD. ON FINAL APPROACH, THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED AN EXCESSIVE SINK RATE. SEEING THAT THE GLIDER WOULD NOT REACH THE RUNWAY, THE INSTRUCTOR OPTED TO TAKE CONTROL. HE TURNED THE GLIDER TO AVOID RISING TERRAIN AND OBSTRUCTIONS, AND TRIED TO LAND IN A SUITABLE AREA. HOWEVER, BEFORE ROLLING OUT OF THE TURN, A WINGTIP CONTACTED TERRAIN AND THE GLIDER CRASH LANDED. DURING A POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION, THE SPOILERS WERE FOUND IN THE 'UP' POSITION, BUT THE INVESIGATION DID NOT VERIFY WHETHER THE SPOILERS WERE EXTENDED BEFORE OR AFTER IMPACT. THE INSTRUCTOR HAD ABOUT 247 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME (IN GLIDERS) AND THE OTHER PILOT HAD ABOUT 35 HOURS FLIGHT TIME.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.